Improvement in car-couplings



8.1. ADAMS.

. Car-Couplings.

[WLM-8,543, y Patented March 17,1874,

nrrnn STATES@ rear j Errea.

SAMUEL J. ADAMS, OF BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHTTO SAMUEL H. APPLE, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,543, dated March 17, 1874; application filed November 18, 1R73.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. ADAMS, of Bellefontaine, in the county of Logan, Ohio, have invented an Improved Oar-Coupling, of which the following is a specilication:

This invention relates to self-couplers for railway-cars of those forms in which pivoted latches Within the draw-heads are employed, in combination with, hook-shackles or links. The present invention consists in the combination of a pivoted latch or draw-head, having internal shoulders to support the same, a pivot-shaft having a lever-arm, to which a chain maybe attached for retracting thelatch, a concealed spring coiled Within a recess in the draw-head, and a collar for attaching the spring to the pivot-shaft and for adjusting the same, as hereinafter set forth.

Figure l is a side view of a pair of drawheads illustrating this invention, one head being represented in vertical section on the line o, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the saine, one head being represented in horizontal section on the line l), Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coupling' latch with its shaft and lever detached.

A draw-head, H, for this improved car-coupling, is cast with the common flaring mouth z, and preferably of the external shape represented 5 but this is not essential. The objects of the general features of this shape are to accommodate the movin g parts Without surplus metal, and to so locate the floor of the drawhcad as to bring the line of draft in line with the draw-bar or shank y, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A large recess, m, terminating at front in a pair of vertical shoulders, fw, isformed in the draw-head by coring, and to facilitate this a core-hole, o, is left in the bottom of the head. This recess in the draw-head accammodates a latch, B, which is pivoted by means ot' a horizontal shaft, t, at or above the top of the throat, and it is attached to its shaft by a spline, or its equivalent. The latch is constructed With ends s, presenting square lower front corners, and between these corners the lower front edge o' is rounded or beveled, as

illustrated in Fig. 3. The shape of the latch in other particulars is not essential, provision being made for it to oscillate to the required extent on its pivots. A hook-shackle or link, C, is employed having solid ends q, beveled and shouldered on top to engage With'the latch. For throwing the latch B into effective position, a spring, p, is coiled Within a small recess formed in one side of the drawhead concentric with the pivot-shaft t. This spring is held at its inner end by its extremity entering a socket in the head, and it is attached at its outer end to the latclrshaft by means of a collar, o, furnished with the setscrew, or its equivalent, for locking it. For turning the latch to release the shackle or link, a lever, n, is applied to one end of the pivot-shaft, and a chain, m, is attached there .to and extended to the platform or roof of the car. An orifice in the top of the draw-head, closed by a dovetailed slide, l, may furnish access to the interior for planing or filing the shoulders fw, which support the latch, and for introducing the latter. A vertical perforation, k, in the draw-head, furnished with a pin, D, provides for coupling With the common link. A longitudinal slot, t', in the hookshackle B, adapts it to couple With the common pin-and-link draw-head. y

In a pair of draw-heads constructed according to this invention, there is no difference between the two, and consequently the use of the improved couplin ginvolves no special arrangement of the cars.

Then two cars furnished with this im-l pulled, and by means of the lever n and pivoted shaft t it turns the latch B, and permits the shackle (l to escape.

In coupling With a common link, or with a common draw-head, there is nothing peculiar ranged in a recess in the draw-head, and the in the operation. adjustable collar o for attaching the spring to The following is claimed as new: the pivot-shaft, all as herein shown and de- The combination of the draw-head H, havscribed, for the purpose specified.

ing the internal vertical shoulders w, thelatoh S. J. ADAMS. s.]

B, having the square ends s and beveled or Vitnesses:

rounded lower front edge r, the pivot-shaft t, R. H. ST. JOHN,

having the arm or lever n, the spring p, ar- O. C. KNAPP. 

